Arizona Rep.: Electric Grid Vulnerable, Needs Protection

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Glendale Ariz.), is sponsoring a bill that calls for tougher regulations of electronic systems in the U.S. He said there’s a possibility for an electromagnetic pulse attack or solar storm that could severely disrupt the electric grid.

Franks believes there is a risk of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack – a shock wave that can occur naturally but can also be used as a weapon – that can disrupt magnetic fields, generate ground currents and damage electric systems in the country.

Rep. Dan Lungren, (R-Calif.) chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies, said an EMP attack is a serious threat to the U.S.

“The national electric grid has almost no backup capability in the event of a power collapse from electromagnetic pulses,” Lungren said. “Existing bulk-power reliability standards don’t even address EMP vulnerabilities.”